Paradise lost and gained

In Europe, violent anti-immigrant riots continue in Northern Ireland, with people like Elon Musk encouraging them. / The Guardian, USA Today

In the Middle East, Iran hits Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan in retaliation for recent attacks by the United States. / Al Jazeera

In Ukraine, it’s been confirmed that fully autonomous drones have killed soldiers with no human oversight. “Everything it sees will be killed.” / New Scientist

See also: Deaths from organized violence increased in 2025 to 244,600, up from approximately 187,000 in 2024. / UCDP

Inflation in the US climbs to a three-year high. / Politico

President Trump saying he “loves the inflation” is thought to be “a doozy” for Republicans’ midterm messaging. / The Hill

Why is crude oil still below $100 a barrel? Possibly because China has dramatically cut its imports. / The Wall Street Journal [$]

In California, the wealth of the state’s billionaire class grew 144 percent from 2023 to 2025. / The New York Times [$]

Notes from a class for any bodyguards aspiring to serve extremely wealthy. / GQ

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A study from Goldman Sachs says the World Cup doesn’t really benefit its host countries financially. / SGI Europe

What’s required to get the grass just right for the football? Plastic fibers, LED grow lights, bespoke irrigation. / The Atlantic [$]

Related: An interactive guide to all 1,248 players in this year’s Cup. / The Guardian

“If necessity is the mother of all invention, then ambition is its accelerant.” An ode to glass and its role in science. Also, an ode to vacuum-form signage. / Asimov Press, Beth Mathews Design

Photographs of abandoned houses in rural North America. / Colossal

Cursor trails of people currently browsing the web. / we were online

“Some words die / and no dictionary can revive them.” A poem for your Thursday, “Words” by José Luis Appleyard. / Via Negativa

A remembrance for the man who memorized all 12 books of Paradise Lost while lifting weights at the gym. / The New York Times [$]